'Super hospital' could be built to serve the whole of Morecambe Bay

A ‘SUPER hospital’ could be built to serve the whole of Morecambe Bay as the result of a healthcare review currently being carried out.

Services provided across south Cumbria and north Lancashire could be put into ‘one single large hospital’ while specialist services are ‘likely to be centralised’, according to bosses overseeing a root and branch review of the area’s healthcare.

“We have explored a wide range of potential scenarios,” they said in a stakeholder briefing released this month.

“We have looked at the implications of ‘doing nothing’ as well as the implications of putting most services into one single large hospital.

“We have also looked at ‘hub and spoke’ type models which would involve having a large hospital in one area supported by smaller hospitals elsewhere.”

The ideas have been mooted as part of the Better Care Together review, which is looking at several options for the way services are provided in the future.

The review is being carried out by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust (UHMBT), as well as the clinical commissioning groups in Cumbria and north Lancashire.

“Running three major sites is horrendously expensive and very difficult to staff,” said John Kaye, a public governor at UHMBT.

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“There’s always a national shortage of clinicians and the trust just can’t get a lot to go to Barrow.

“As financial pressures come up more and more you come to a point where you’re cutting into the bone and arteries of the organisation and clearly something drastic has to be looked at.

“This might be one large hospital to serve the whole area.”

And South Lakes MP Tim Farron, who hailed the idea of a ‘super hospital’, said: “More and more medical clinicians are saying that a new, acute hub hospital to be created near Kendal could be the best way for Morecambe Bay to improve patient safety, access and help with financial savings.

“Many of the problems the trust has had recently stem from the problems of operating from three distinct sites across such a widespread geographic area.”

A source also told the Gazette that a ‘scoping study’ was being carried out to determine a location for a potential new hospital.

However the idea of centralising services in an as-yet unnamed location has been met with mixed reactions.

“Having only just seen off the threat to the future of our maternity unit, the fact that the word ‘centralisation’ is still being bandied around in relation to essential NHS services in the area will be a cause of concern for all,” said Furness MP John Woodcock.

“Change can be good and we know the NHS has to cope with big financial challenges and a population that lives longer but our community would be devastated without a vibrant local hospital.”

That is what have advocated for years, central to the catchment area for most towns, and plenty of land to build it on.Now all we have to do is sort out the queues of ambulances that are waiting to discharge patients at A&E depts.?

[quote][p][bold]boris plasticmac[/bold] wrote:
Junction 36?[/p][/quote]That is what have advocated for years, central to the catchment area for most towns, and plenty of land to build it on.Now all we have to do is sort out the queues of ambulances that are waiting to discharge patients at A&E depts.?hogheaven

boris plasticmac wrote…

Junction 36?

That is what have advocated for years, central to the catchment area for most towns, and plenty of land to build it on.Now all we have to do is sort out the queues of ambulances that are waiting to discharge patients at A&E depts.?

Score: -3

boris plasticmac says...5:07pm Thu 23 Jan 14

Anything has got to be better than the parking arrangements and access to the RLI, they are a nightmare.

Anything has got to be better than the parking arrangements and access to the RLI, they are a nightmare.boris plasticmac

Anything has got to be better than the parking arrangements and access to the RLI, they are a nightmare.

Score: 7

Grumpyoldbiker says...7:04am Fri 24 Jan 14

Will this be another PFI job? leaving future generations with the debt. How are people who do not drive going to get there? On the buses that the County Council are going to cut? What about all the extra traffic on the roads? Just bring back an A&E to the Westmoreland General and stop wasting money that could be spent on improving the number of nurses on the wards.

Will this be another PFI job? leaving future generations with the debt. How are people who do not drive going to get there? On the buses that the County Council are going to cut? What about all the extra traffic on the roads? Just bring back an A&E to the Westmoreland General and stop wasting money that could be spent on improving the number of nurses on the wards.Grumpyoldbiker

Will this be another PFI job? leaving future generations with the debt. How are people who do not drive going to get there? On the buses that the County Council are going to cut? What about all the extra traffic on the roads? Just bring back an A&E to the Westmoreland General and stop wasting money that could be spent on improving the number of nurses on the wards.

Score: 11

hogheaven says...7:54am Fri 24 Jan 14

Grumpyoldbiker wrote…

Will this be another PFI job? leaving future generations with the debt. How are people who do not drive going to get there? On the buses that the County Council are going to cut? What about all the extra traffic on the roads? Just bring back an A&E to the Westmoreland General and stop wasting money that could be spent on improving the number of nurses on the wards.

Think you need to think it through grumpyoldbiker, how do you get to any Hospital at present?When you do parking is problematic at Lancaster and Blackpool where I had to drive around for nearly an hour waitng to find a space. Bus or Taxi's would be provided as they have been in the past ,and if the Hospital was sited at Jct 36 ,as it is central to the A65 A6 M6 and A590. thus providing easy access for surrounding areas . Ambulances at present have to fight there way through Lancaster traffic,A&E would be at the New hospital as would all other departments ,rendering the necessity to travel to Lancaster Preston, Morecambe and Blackpool for treatment Centralizing would or SHOULD cut costs as all staff could be condensed to a single place, also removing the need for consultants, registrars etc having to move from one Hospital to another. Time saved being spent on more patient care, but a big BUT only if costs are kept under control.

[quote][p][bold]Grumpyoldbiker[/bold] wrote:
Will this be another PFI job? leaving future generations with the debt. How are people who do not drive going to get there? On the buses that the County Council are going to cut? What about all the extra traffic on the roads? Just bring back an A&E to the Westmoreland General and stop wasting money that could be spent on improving the number of nurses on the wards.[/p][/quote]Think you need to think it through grumpyoldbiker, how do you get to any Hospital at present?When you do parking is problematic at Lancaster and Blackpool where I had to drive around for nearly an hour waitng to find a space. Bus or Taxi's would be provided as they have been in the past ,and if the Hospital was sited at Jct 36 ,as it is central to the A65 A6 M6 and A590. thus providing easy access for surrounding areas . Ambulances at present have to fight there way through Lancaster traffic,A&E would be at the New hospital as would all other departments ,rendering the necessity to travel to Lancaster Preston, Morecambe and Blackpool for treatment Centralizing would or SHOULD cut costs as all staff could be condensed to a single place, also removing the need for consultants, registrars etc having to move from one Hospital to another. Time saved being spent on more patient care, but a big BUT only if costs are kept under control.hogheaven

Grumpyoldbiker wrote…

Will this be another PFI job? leaving future generations with the debt. How are people who do not drive going to get there? On the buses that the County Council are going to cut? What about all the extra traffic on the roads? Just bring back an A&E to the Westmoreland General and stop wasting money that could be spent on improving the number of nurses on the wards.

Think you need to think it through grumpyoldbiker, how do you get to any Hospital at present?When you do parking is problematic at Lancaster and Blackpool where I had to drive around for nearly an hour waitng to find a space. Bus or Taxi's would be provided as they have been in the past ,and if the Hospital was sited at Jct 36 ,as it is central to the A65 A6 M6 and A590. thus providing easy access for surrounding areas . Ambulances at present have to fight there way through Lancaster traffic,A&E would be at the New hospital as would all other departments ,rendering the necessity to travel to Lancaster Preston, Morecambe and Blackpool for treatment Centralizing would or SHOULD cut costs as all staff could be condensed to a single place, also removing the need for consultants, registrars etc having to move from one Hospital to another. Time saved being spent on more patient care, but a big BUT only if costs are kept under control.

Score: 0

jazzactivist says...10:30am Fri 24 Jan 14

I don't think it is a good idea at all. Far better to have smaller hospitals throughout the area - perhaps the hub and spokes idea. At the moment it take too long for many people living across Cumbria to get to any of the hospitals in an emergency, and the ambulance service call centre doesn't seem to know the distances involved. Last year my partner fell and broke his shoulder when alone in the house and the call centre were dreadful - claiming that he could get to hospitals easily and that both Lancaster and Furness were only 11 miles form Grange! A friend of mine recently had her baby in the lift at the Westmorland General because she couldn't make the journey from Ambleside to Furness in time! The other issue with one 'central' super hospital is that there is then only one for the government to close down...

I don't think it is a good idea at all. Far better to have smaller hospitals throughout the area - perhaps the hub and spokes idea. At the moment it take too long for many people living across Cumbria to get to any of the hospitals in an emergency, and the ambulance service call centre doesn't seem to know the distances involved. Last year my partner fell and broke his shoulder when alone in the house and the call centre were dreadful - claiming that he could get to hospitals easily and that both Lancaster and Furness were only 11 miles form Grange! A friend of mine recently had her baby in the lift at the Westmorland General because she couldn't make the journey from Ambleside to Furness in time!
The other issue with one 'central' super hospital is that there is then only one for the government to close down...jazzactivist

I don't think it is a good idea at all. Far better to have smaller hospitals throughout the area - perhaps the hub and spokes idea. At the moment it take too long for many people living across Cumbria to get to any of the hospitals in an emergency, and the ambulance service call centre doesn't seem to know the distances involved. Last year my partner fell and broke his shoulder when alone in the house and the call centre were dreadful - claiming that he could get to hospitals easily and that both Lancaster and Furness were only 11 miles form Grange! A friend of mine recently had her baby in the lift at the Westmorland General because she couldn't make the journey from Ambleside to Furness in time! The other issue with one 'central' super hospital is that there is then only one for the government to close down...

Score: -1

hogheaven says...10:53am Fri 24 Jan 14

jazzactivist wrote…

I don't think it is a good idea at all. Far better to have smaller hospitals throughout the area - perhaps the hub and spokes idea. At the moment it take too long for many people living across Cumbria to get to any of the hospitals in an emergency, and the ambulance service call centre doesn't seem to know the distances involved. Last year my partner fell and broke his shoulder when alone in the house and the call centre were dreadful - claiming that he could get to hospitals easily and that both Lancaster and Furness were only 11 miles form Grange! A friend of mine recently had her baby in the lift at the Westmorland General because she couldn't make the journey from Ambleside to Furness in time! The other issue with one 'central' super hospital is that there is then only one for the government to close down...

I do not understand where you are coming from, we already have a "hub and spoke system" which does not work. Centralizing them to one would bring them all together, you can never satisfy everyone their will be always someone living at an extreme location so JCT 36 would be an ideal hub..I agree with your comment about the call center, seems to be lack of local knowledge inexcusable when someones life is at stake.We take a lot for granted in the NHS ,but your friends experience re having her baby in the lift might have been avoided if the local GP and midwifes were on call 24 hours 7 days a week,as the were in the good old days.The government is throwing more and more money into the NHS pot, it just needs spending WISELY.Why would the government want to close down a new hospital? dont be so negative Jazz and you a socialist.

[quote][p][bold]jazzactivist[/bold] wrote:
I don't think it is a good idea at all. Far better to have smaller hospitals throughout the area - perhaps the hub and spokes idea. At the moment it take too long for many people living across Cumbria to get to any of the hospitals in an emergency, and the ambulance service call centre doesn't seem to know the distances involved. Last year my partner fell and broke his shoulder when alone in the house and the call centre were dreadful - claiming that he could get to hospitals easily and that both Lancaster and Furness were only 11 miles form Grange! A friend of mine recently had her baby in the lift at the Westmorland General because she couldn't make the journey from Ambleside to Furness in time!
The other issue with one 'central' super hospital is that there is then only one for the government to close down...[/p][/quote]I do not understand where you are coming from, we already have a "hub and spoke system" which does not work. Centralizing them to one would bring them all together, you can never satisfy everyone their will be always someone living at an extreme location so JCT 36 would be an ideal hub..I agree with your comment about the call center, seems to be lack of local knowledge inexcusable when someones life is at stake.We take a lot for granted in the NHS ,but your friends experience re having her baby in the lift might have been avoided if the local GP and midwifes were on call 24 hours 7 days a week,as the were in the good old days.The government is throwing more and more money into the NHS pot, it just needs spending WISELY.Why would the government want to close down a new hospital? dont be so negative Jazz and you a socialist.hogheaven

jazzactivist wrote…

I don't think it is a good idea at all. Far better to have smaller hospitals throughout the area - perhaps the hub and spokes idea. At the moment it take too long for many people living across Cumbria to get to any of the hospitals in an emergency, and the ambulance service call centre doesn't seem to know the distances involved. Last year my partner fell and broke his shoulder when alone in the house and the call centre were dreadful - claiming that he could get to hospitals easily and that both Lancaster and Furness were only 11 miles form Grange! A friend of mine recently had her baby in the lift at the Westmorland General because she couldn't make the journey from Ambleside to Furness in time! The other issue with one 'central' super hospital is that there is then only one for the government to close down...

I do not understand where you are coming from, we already have a "hub and spoke system" which does not work. Centralizing them to one would bring them all together, you can never satisfy everyone their will be always someone living at an extreme location so JCT 36 would be an ideal hub..I agree with your comment about the call center, seems to be lack of local knowledge inexcusable when someones life is at stake.We take a lot for granted in the NHS ,but your friends experience re having her baby in the lift might have been avoided if the local GP and midwifes were on call 24 hours 7 days a week,as the were in the good old days.The government is throwing more and more money into the NHS pot, it just needs spending WISELY.Why would the government want to close down a new hospital? dont be so negative Jazz and you a socialist.

Score: -1

fellsman says...5:11pm Fri 24 Jan 14

Not quite sure where Tim Farron stands - for years he has been arguing for services to be brought back to Westmorland General rather than being focused at Lancaster, now he appears to be backtracking saying "Many of the problems the trust has had recently stem from the problems of operating from three distinct sites across such a widespread geographic area.”

Not quite sure where Tim Farron stands - for years he has been arguing for services to be brought back to Westmorland General rather than being focused at Lancaster, now he appears to be backtracking saying "Many of the problems the trust has had recently stem from the problems of operating from three distinct sites across such a widespread geographic area.”fellsman

Not quite sure where Tim Farron stands - for years he has been arguing for services to be brought back to Westmorland General rather than being focused at Lancaster, now he appears to be backtracking saying "Many of the problems the trust has had recently stem from the problems of operating from three distinct sites across such a widespread geographic area.”

Score: 12

hogheaven says...5:45pm Fri 24 Jan 14

fellsman wrote…

Not quite sure where Tim Farron stands - for years he has been arguing for services to be brought back to Westmorland General rather than being focused at Lancaster, now he appears to be backtracking saying "Many of the problems the trust has had recently stem from the problems of operating from three distinct sites across such a widespread geographic area.”

Well he his right In effect if a Hospital near JCT 36 were to be built ,,it should IF properly run by the Trust eliminate at lot of the current problems.

[quote][p][bold]fellsman[/bold] wrote:
Not quite sure where Tim Farron stands - for years he has been arguing for services to be brought back to Westmorland General rather than being focused at Lancaster, now he appears to be backtracking saying "Many of the problems the trust has had recently stem from the problems of operating from three distinct sites across such a widespread geographic area.”[/p][/quote]Well he his right In effect if a Hospital near JCT 36 were to be built ,,it should IF properly run by the Trust eliminate at lot of the current problems.hogheaven

fellsman wrote…

Not quite sure where Tim Farron stands - for years he has been arguing for services to be brought back to Westmorland General rather than being focused at Lancaster, now he appears to be backtracking saying "Many of the problems the trust has had recently stem from the problems of operating from three distinct sites across such a widespread geographic area.”

Well he his right In effect if a Hospital near JCT 36 were to be built ,,it should IF properly run by the Trust eliminate at lot of the current problems.

Score: -7

fellsman says...6:59pm Fri 24 Jan 14

Sorry - still slightly confused - where does it mention junction 36 - how will that benefit Barrow and people in and to the south of Lancaster

Sorry - still slightly confused - where does it mention junction 36 - how will that benefit Barrow and people in and to the south of Lancasterfellsman

Sorry - still slightly confused - where does it mention junction 36 - how will that benefit Barrow and people in and to the south of Lancaster

Score: 7

hogheaven says...7:16pm Fri 24 Jan 14

fellsman wrote…

Sorry - still slightly confused - where does it mention junction 36 - how will that benefit Barrow and people in and to the south of Lancaster

It does not mention JCt36 in my mind its an obvious location ,to encompass all the surrounding areas from Ambleside to Sedbergh, south lakes and Lancaster Morecambe, existing Hospitals would be closed and public transport improved to the new Hospital via Rail and bus . Minor medical problems can be dealt with at small local health centers and GP's surgerys, any real emergency is already dealt with by the Air ambulance service so distance and time is not an issue.The only issue would be to make sure the new building could have facilities to land on the roof or grounds, Which is not the case at Blackpool Victoria where the new wing was built without this being possible,Due to the architect failing to design a strong enough roof, now it lands at the local De Vere hotel golf course,nobody got fired for the cockup,another NHS coverup?

[quote][p][bold]fellsman[/bold] wrote:
Sorry - still slightly confused - where does it mention junction 36 - how will that benefit Barrow and people in and to the south of Lancaster[/p][/quote]It does not mention JCt36 in my mind its an obvious location ,to encompass all the surrounding areas from Ambleside to Sedbergh, south lakes and Lancaster Morecambe, existing Hospitals would be closed and public transport improved to the new Hospital via Rail and bus . Minor medical problems can be dealt with at small local health centers and GP's surgerys, any real emergency is already dealt with by the Air ambulance service so distance and time is not an issue.The only issue would be to make sure the new building could have facilities to land on the roof or grounds, Which is not the case at Blackpool Victoria where the new wing
was built without this being possible,Due to the architect failing to design a strong enough roof, now it lands at the local De Vere hotel golf course,nobody got fired for the cockup,another NHS coverup?hogheaven

fellsman wrote…

Sorry - still slightly confused - where does it mention junction 36 - how will that benefit Barrow and people in and to the south of Lancaster

It does not mention JCt36 in my mind its an obvious location ,to encompass all the surrounding areas from Ambleside to Sedbergh, south lakes and Lancaster Morecambe, existing Hospitals would be closed and public transport improved to the new Hospital via Rail and bus . Minor medical problems can be dealt with at small local health centers and GP's surgerys, any real emergency is already dealt with by the Air ambulance service so distance and time is not an issue.The only issue would be to make sure the new building could have facilities to land on the roof or grounds, Which is not the case at Blackpool Victoria where the new wing was built without this being possible,Due to the architect failing to design a strong enough roof, now it lands at the local De Vere hotel golf course,nobody got fired for the cockup,another NHS coverup?

Score: -4

oceancloud says...9:37pm Fri 24 Jan 14

Cannot see anyone being able to get a train to Junction 36!! However maybe a narrow boat in the future!

Cannot see anyone being able to get a train to Junction 36!! However maybe a narrow boat in the future!oceancloud

Cannot see anyone being able to get a train to Junction 36!! However maybe a narrow boat in the future!

Score: 11

shirtbox2003 says...11:43pm Fri 24 Jan 14

junction 36 means a forty mile one way drive for people in barrow.crazy thoughts.what is needed is another hospital in ulverston or grange over sands area.

junction 36 means a forty mile one way drive for people in barrow.crazy thoughts.what is needed is another hospital in ulverston or grange over sands area.shirtbox2003

junction 36 means a forty mile one way drive for people in barrow.crazy thoughts.what is needed is another hospital in ulverston or grange over sands area.

Score: -1

hogheaven says...6:00am Sat 25 Jan 14

shirtbox2003 wrote…

junction 36 means a forty mile one way drive for people in barrow.crazy thoughts.what is needed is another hospital in ulverston or grange over sands area.

Its actually 32 miles from Furness Hospital to Crooklands area of jct36 (google maps) Why another hospital in Grange or Ulverston ? I think you are missing the point.

[quote][p][bold]shirtbox2003[/bold] wrote:
junction 36 means a forty mile one way drive for people in barrow.crazy thoughts.what is needed is another hospital in ulverston or grange over sands area.[/p][/quote]Its actually 32 miles from Furness Hospital to Crooklands area of jct36 (google maps) Why another hospital in Grange or Ulverston ? I think you are missing the point.hogheaven

shirtbox2003 wrote…

junction 36 means a forty mile one way drive for people in barrow.crazy thoughts.what is needed is another hospital in ulverston or grange over sands area.

Its actually 32 miles from Furness Hospital to Crooklands area of jct36 (google maps) Why another hospital in Grange or Ulverston ? I think you are missing the point.

Score: -4

hogheaven says...6:02am Sat 25 Jan 14

oceancloud wrote…

Cannot see anyone being able to get a train to Junction 36!! However maybe a narrow boat in the future!

Anything is possible railway not far from jct36 and narrow boat OK if you are not in a rush I can give you lift on mine.

[quote][p][bold]oceancloud[/bold] wrote:
Cannot see anyone being able to get a train to Junction 36!! However maybe a narrow boat in the future![/p][/quote]Anything is possible railway not far from jct36 and narrow boat OK if you are not in a rush I can give you lift on mine.hogheaven

oceancloud wrote…

Cannot see anyone being able to get a train to Junction 36!! However maybe a narrow boat in the future!

Anything is possible railway not far from jct36 and narrow boat OK if you are not in a rush I can give you lift on mine.

Score: -8

WilliamT says...12:27pm Sat 25 Jan 14

There seems to be an epidemic of self delusion, akin to the one waiting for proper A&E at WGH. The operative words are 'could be built'. Could, but won't, at least not for 25 years minimum. Big NHS cuts are coming, and the rest of the areas in England will soon get fed up with the massive extra funds being pumped into UHMB to try and keep it out of the news.

There seems to be an epidemic of self delusion, akin to the one waiting for proper A&E at WGH. The operative words are 'could be built'. Could, but won't, at least not for 25 years minimum. Big NHS cuts are coming, and the rest of the areas in England will soon get fed up with the massive extra funds being pumped into UHMB to try and keep it out of the news.WilliamT

There seems to be an epidemic of self delusion, akin to the one waiting for proper A&E at WGH. The operative words are 'could be built'. Could, but won't, at least not for 25 years minimum. Big NHS cuts are coming, and the rest of the areas in England will soon get fed up with the massive extra funds being pumped into UHMB to try and keep it out of the news.

Score: 3

oceancloud says...4:31pm Sat 25 Jan 14

hogheaven wrote…

oceancloud wrote…

Cannot see anyone being able to get a train to Junction 36!! However maybe a narrow boat in the future!

Anything is possible railway not far from jct36 and narrow boat OK if you are not in a rush I can give you lift on mine.

In your dreams!

[quote][p][bold]hogheaven[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]oceancloud[/bold] wrote:
Cannot see anyone being able to get a train to Junction 36!! However maybe a narrow boat in the future![/p][/quote]Anything is possible railway not far from jct36 and narrow boat OK if you are not in a rush I can give you lift on mine.[/p][/quote]In your dreams!oceancloud

hogheaven wrote…

oceancloud wrote…

Cannot see anyone being able to get a train to Junction 36!! However maybe a narrow boat in the future!

Anything is possible railway not far from jct36 and narrow boat OK if you are not in a rush I can give you lift on mine.

In your dreams!

Score: 0

jazzactivist says...5:30pm Sat 25 Jan 14

I think all NHS hospitals are at risk of being closed down by a government that would prefer private medical care, Hoggy. NHS Hospitals aren't safe, and weren't even under the Labour government which also closed them. I think with our current system of hub and spokes, the 'spokes' are too far apart. My partner had to travel backwards and forwards to Lancaster for all of his treatment for his shoulder - taking time off from work for follow up visits - when if suitable hospital treatment had been easier access to Grasmere he could have probably gone there in his lunch break. As it was, I drove him to the Westmorland Hospital when he first broke his shoulder, as we didn't know what was wrong and it was too far to take the risk of driving on to Lancaster. My friend from Ambleside ditched down at the Westmorland too, as she couldn't make it as far as Barrow before she had her baby. The journey was just too long for a woman at the stage of labour where she was advised to get to the maternity unit. I agree with you that we need more local expertise and longer opening hours. I think the way forward is to go back to the system where local medical centres have small injury units and Xray depts on site, and the three bigger hospitals at Kendal, Barrow and Lancaster all offer serious A&E and difefrent specialist units. It shouldn't matter what it costs - high quality, free, medical treatment for everyone is surely worth paying for through the tax system.

I think all NHS hospitals are at risk of being closed down by a government that would prefer private medical care, Hoggy. NHS Hospitals aren't safe, and weren't even under the Labour government which also closed them.
I think with our current system of hub and spokes, the 'spokes' are too far apart. My partner had to travel backwards and forwards to Lancaster for all of his treatment for his shoulder - taking time off from work for follow up visits - when if suitable hospital treatment had been easier access to Grasmere he could have probably gone there in his lunch break. As it was, I drove him to the Westmorland Hospital when he first broke his shoulder, as we didn't know what was wrong and it was too far to take the risk of driving on to Lancaster. My friend from Ambleside ditched down at the Westmorland too, as she couldn't make it as far as Barrow before she had her baby. The journey was just too long for a woman at the stage of labour where she was advised to get to the maternity unit.
I agree with you that we need more local expertise and longer opening hours. I think the way forward is to go back to the system where local medical centres have small injury units and Xray depts on site, and the three bigger hospitals at Kendal, Barrow and Lancaster all offer serious A&E and difefrent specialist units. It shouldn't matter what it costs - high quality, free, medical treatment for everyone is surely worth paying for through the tax system.jazzactivist

I think all NHS hospitals are at risk of being closed down by a government that would prefer private medical care, Hoggy. NHS Hospitals aren't safe, and weren't even under the Labour government which also closed them. I think with our current system of hub and spokes, the 'spokes' are too far apart. My partner had to travel backwards and forwards to Lancaster for all of his treatment for his shoulder - taking time off from work for follow up visits - when if suitable hospital treatment had been easier access to Grasmere he could have probably gone there in his lunch break. As it was, I drove him to the Westmorland Hospital when he first broke his shoulder, as we didn't know what was wrong and it was too far to take the risk of driving on to Lancaster. My friend from Ambleside ditched down at the Westmorland too, as she couldn't make it as far as Barrow before she had her baby. The journey was just too long for a woman at the stage of labour where she was advised to get to the maternity unit. I agree with you that we need more local expertise and longer opening hours. I think the way forward is to go back to the system where local medical centres have small injury units and Xray depts on site, and the three bigger hospitals at Kendal, Barrow and Lancaster all offer serious A&E and difefrent specialist units. It shouldn't matter what it costs - high quality, free, medical treatment for everyone is surely worth paying for through the tax system.

Score: 1

boris plasticmac says...10:05am Sun 26 Jan 14

If you look at the area as a whole there is a bit of an imbalance with hospital care. If you live in Lancaster where the bulk of the population live there is probably less of a problem with patient care than if you live in Barrow or say Grasmere, because of either distances from centres of excellence or the inability to recruit clinicians. So looked at simply if you took a 40minute ambulance journey time radius from Barrow, Lancaster and Grasmere and see where they intersect, I suspect the result would give an area which would include Junction 36. Local provision of care has got to continue just as it does now in Kendal but an overall improvement in the area as a whole has got to be the target. So it's worth looking at.

If you look at the area as a whole there is a bit of an imbalance with hospital care.
If you live in Lancaster where the bulk of the population live there is probably less of a problem with patient care than if you live in Barrow or say Grasmere, because of either distances from centres of excellence or the inability to recruit clinicians.
So looked at simply if you took a 40minute ambulance journey time radius from Barrow, Lancaster and Grasmere and see where they intersect, I suspect the result would give an area which would include Junction 36.
Local provision of care has got to continue just as it does now in Kendal but an overall improvement in the area as a whole has got to be the target.
So it's worth looking at.boris plasticmac

If you look at the area as a whole there is a bit of an imbalance with hospital care. If you live in Lancaster where the bulk of the population live there is probably less of a problem with patient care than if you live in Barrow or say Grasmere, because of either distances from centres of excellence or the inability to recruit clinicians. So looked at simply if you took a 40minute ambulance journey time radius from Barrow, Lancaster and Grasmere and see where they intersect, I suspect the result would give an area which would include Junction 36. Local provision of care has got to continue just as it does now in Kendal but an overall improvement in the area as a whole has got to be the target. So it's worth looking at.

Score: 1

WilliamT says...12:36pm Mon 27 Jan 14

Some people here would be well advised to watch the recent Health Select Committee session with the Emergency Care Review squad from NHS England, on BBC Parliament. They will then see how far out in Cloud Cuckoo Land they're living. There will be no 'X-Rays' at community hospitals, no A&E at WGH, 'receiving' facilities at Whitehaven, FGH and RLI, and major emergency centres at Carlisle and Preston. There will be no Morecambe Bay Mega-hospital- it will be included in the list of options being considered, will hang around for a few years and will then be rejected 'after a full appraisal'. The proposal is just to keep people quiet for a bit.

Some people here would be well advised to watch the recent Health Select Committee session with the Emergency Care Review squad from NHS England, on BBC Parliament. They will then see how far out in Cloud Cuckoo Land they're living. There will be no 'X-Rays' at community hospitals, no A&E at WGH, 'receiving' facilities at Whitehaven, FGH and RLI, and major emergency centres at Carlisle and Preston. There will be no Morecambe Bay Mega-hospital- it will be included in the list of options being considered, will hang around for a few years and will then be rejected 'after a full appraisal'. The proposal is just to keep people quiet for a bit.WilliamT

Some people here would be well advised to watch the recent Health Select Committee session with the Emergency Care Review squad from NHS England, on BBC Parliament. They will then see how far out in Cloud Cuckoo Land they're living. There will be no 'X-Rays' at community hospitals, no A&E at WGH, 'receiving' facilities at Whitehaven, FGH and RLI, and major emergency centres at Carlisle and Preston. There will be no Morecambe Bay Mega-hospital- it will be included in the list of options being considered, will hang around for a few years and will then be rejected 'after a full appraisal'. The proposal is just to keep people quiet for a bit.

Score: 0

oceancloud says...4:41pm Mon 27 Jan 14

So that means no branch line to Junction 36 from the West Coast mainline and no arrivals by canal boat. Was looking forward to that!!

So that means no branch line to Junction 36 from the West Coast mainline
and no arrivals by canal boat. Was looking forward to that!!oceancloud

So that means no branch line to Junction 36 from the West Coast mainline and no arrivals by canal boat. Was looking forward to that!!

Score: 0

hogheaven says...4:42pm Mon 27 Jan 14

oceancloud wrote…

So that means no branch line to Junction 36 from the West Coast mainline and no arrivals by canal boat. Was looking forward to that!!

Me too

[quote][p][bold]oceancloud[/bold] wrote:
So that means no branch line to Junction 36 from the West Coast mainline
and no arrivals by canal boat. Was looking forward to that!![/p][/quote]Me toohogheaven

oceancloud wrote…

So that means no branch line to Junction 36 from the West Coast mainline and no arrivals by canal boat. Was looking forward to that!!

Me too

Score: -2

zaksmum says...7:49pm Mon 27 Jan 14

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.zaksmum

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

Score: 2

hogheaven says...7:52pm Mon 27 Jan 14

zaksmum wrote…

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum

[quote][p][bold]zaksmum[/bold] wrote:
As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.[/p][/quote]Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmumhogheaven

zaksmum wrote…

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum

Score: 1

zaksmum says...1:33pm Tue 28 Jan 14

hogheaven wrote…

zaksmum wrote…

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum

Thankyou x Not me though, my kids. One has a terminal condition, the other has type 1 diabetes. So hospital life is the norm for us.

[quote][p][bold]hogheaven[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]zaksmum[/bold] wrote:
As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.[/p][/quote]Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum[/p][/quote]Thankyou x Not me though, my kids. One has a terminal condition, the other has type 1 diabetes. So hospital life is the norm for us.zaksmum

hogheaven wrote…

zaksmum wrote…

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum

Thankyou x Not me though, my kids. One has a terminal condition, the other has type 1 diabetes. So hospital life is the norm for us.

Score: 0

zaksmum says...1:33pm Tue 28 Jan 14

hogheaven wrote…

zaksmum wrote…

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum

Thankyou x Not me though, my kids. One has a terminal condition, the other has type 1 diabetes. So hospital life is the norm for us.

[quote][p][bold]hogheaven[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]zaksmum[/bold] wrote:
As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.[/p][/quote]Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum[/p][/quote]Thankyou x Not me though, my kids. One has a terminal condition, the other has type 1 diabetes. So hospital life is the norm for us.zaksmum

hogheaven wrote…

zaksmum wrote…

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum

Thankyou x Not me though, my kids. One has a terminal condition, the other has type 1 diabetes. So hospital life is the norm for us.

Score: 0

hogheaven says...2:07pm Tue 28 Jan 14

zaksmum wrote…

hogheaven wrote…

zaksmum wrote…

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum

Thankyou x Not me though, my kids. One has a terminal condition, the other has type 1 diabetes. So hospital life is the norm for us.

So sorry to hear about your children, life is not fair sometimes, in your case a central hospital would make a big difference to you and many others. .

[quote][p][bold]zaksmum[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]hogheaven[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]zaksmum[/bold] wrote:
As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.[/p][/quote]Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum[/p][/quote]Thankyou x Not me though, my kids. One has a terminal condition, the other has type 1 diabetes. So hospital life is the norm for us.[/p][/quote]So sorry to hear about your children, life is not fair sometimes, in your case a central hospital would make a big difference to you and many others. .hogheaven

zaksmum wrote…

hogheaven wrote…

zaksmum wrote…

As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals, currently travelling between Kendal, RLI, Preston and Alder hey in Liverpool. The idea of a 'super hospital' closer to home sounds fabulous.

Makes a lot of sense hope you recover soon Zaksmum

Thankyou x Not me though, my kids. One has a terminal condition, the other has type 1 diabetes. So hospital life is the norm for us.

So sorry to hear about your children, life is not fair sometimes, in your case a central hospital would make a big difference to you and many others. .

Score: 1

lilliputlil says...1:56am Sat 1 Feb 14

fellsman wrote…

Sorry - still slightly confused - where does it mention junction 36 - how will that benefit Barrow and people in and to the south of Lancaster

Hear! Hear! Last time I went to junction 36 it was 30 miles away, can't see it has moved nearer to Barrow in 3 days. We already have to travel all over for cancer treatment, they are planning to downgrade us to 1 fire engine the only town in Cumbria to be affected. Do they know something we don't, perhaps they are planning to shut us down altogether!

[quote][p][bold]fellsman[/bold] wrote:
Sorry - still slightly confused - where does it mention junction 36 - how will that benefit Barrow and people in and to the south of Lancaster[/p][/quote]Hear! Hear! Last time I went to junction 36 it was 30 miles away, can't see it has moved nearer to Barrow in 3 days. We already have to travel all over for cancer treatment, they are planning to downgrade us to 1 fire engine the only town in Cumbria to be affected. Do they know something we don't, perhaps they are planning to shut us down altogether!lilliputlil

fellsman wrote…

Sorry - still slightly confused - where does it mention junction 36 - how will that benefit Barrow and people in and to the south of Lancaster

Hear! Hear! Last time I went to junction 36 it was 30 miles away, can't see it has moved nearer to Barrow in 3 days. We already have to travel all over for cancer treatment, they are planning to downgrade us to 1 fire engine the only town in Cumbria to be affected. Do they know something we don't, perhaps they are planning to shut us down altogether!

Score: -1

WilliamT says...10:55am Sat 1 Feb 14

No, they're definitely not going to shut FGH down, just remove a few more services. Long term, my guess is FGH and WGH will join Cumbria-Northumbria Mega Trust and Lancaster will be hived off to Blackpool.

No, they're definitely not going to shut FGH down, just remove a few more services. Long term, my guess is FGH and WGH will join Cumbria-Northumbria Mega Trust and Lancaster will be hived off to Blackpool.WilliamT

No, they're definitely not going to shut FGH down, just remove a few more services. Long term, my guess is FGH and WGH will join Cumbria-Northumbria Mega Trust and Lancaster will be hived off to Blackpool.

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